Ygam Statement: Response to the Appointment of OHID as Prevention Commissioner

Ygam has issued the following statement in response to the appointment of OHID as prevention commissioner.

“Ygam welcomes the announcement that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will assume the pivotal role of Prevention Commissioner within the new levy system for addressing gambling harms.

“We welcome the announcement that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will assume the pivotal role of Prevention Commissioner within the new statutory system for addressing gambling harms. This appointment brings much-needed clarity, and we stand ready and committed to working closely with the new commissioning team to build upon the successes of the existing system.

“The increased allocation of funding for prevention represents a significant and necessary step forward. We fully support the Government’s commitment to safeguarding children and young people and while gambling harm prevention must be multifaceted, education must remain a central pillar of this strategy. We have consistently advocated for greater investment in universal education and early intervention, equipping young people with the knowledge and resilience to navigate the digital world. Long-term, sustainable funding for services that facilitate prevention education is essential to delivering a comprehensive public health response to this issue.

“An effective prevention strategy must also extend beyond the classroom, ensuring that safeguarding leads, parents, youth workers, and other trusted individuals have access to evidence-based training and resources to support and protect young people effectively.

“The third sector plays an indispensable role in delivering high-quality prevention work. The expertise within specialist charities must be embraced and fully integrated into the new commissioning framework. It is imperative that existing good practice and demonstrable impact are recognised and retained. Charities have been instrumental in driving progress, and sustained investment in their work will be crucial to achieving our collective goals.

“We look forward to collaborating with OHID, policymakers, and sector partners to shape this new era of prevention. Through cooperation, innovation, and accountability, we can establish a world-leading infrastructure that effectively reduces gambling harms and safeguards future generations.”